News

Two follow-up project applications stemming from CHARTS project and the 'Thessalia
Charter'have been submitted by CHARTS project partners and further partners in the first Call of the new Interreg Europe programme, viz:

CHRISTA: Culture & Heritage for Responsible, Innovative and
Sustainable Tourism Actions, led by ECTN - the European Cultural Tourism Network, international association based in Brussels, Belgium,

21st September has become the European Cooperation Day (EC Day). On that day and several days around, hundreds of events all over Europe will showcase results of
European territorial cooperation projects. For the third time already, these events will highlight the benefits of territorial cooperation, also within INTERREG IVC projects. This initiative is
supported by the European Commission and the European Parliament.

In order to make a link between CHARTS project and
Europa Nostra, accordingly to the approved work plan CHARTS project Management and Coordination Unit (MCU), participated at the closing event of the 50th anniversary celebration of
Europa Nostra. The European Policy Conference on EU Strategy for Cultural Heritage “Cultural Heritage for Europe, Europe for Cultural Heritage” in Bibliotheque Solvay, Brussels on
5th December 2013, was organised by Europa Nostra with cooperation of Edificio and with support of the Culture Programme of Europe Union. Conference brought together eminent experts, decision-makers
and top-level representatives from EU institutions and was attended by 180 people.

Europa Nostra is an organisation which safeguards
cultural and natural heritage in Europe and is known as an important lobby for cultural heritage in Europe. It has more than 400 members and
associate organisations from all over Europe representing millions of citizens, supporting and working for heritage as volunteers and professionals. Each year, Europa Nostra rewards the
best achievements of cultural heritage. Through European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards, they celebrate excellence and dedication by architects, craftsmen, volunteers,
schools, local communities, heritage owners and media, and at the same time stimulate creativity and innovation.

At the conference multiple values of heritage were
demonstrated and outlined strategies for the future by bringing together eminent experts, decision-makers and top-level representatives from EU institutions were. During conference Europa Nostra
launched a new programme of the 7 Most Endangered Sites and Monuments in Europe.

In the afternoon, after the panel discussion, several
distinguished speakers participated in the concluding session. Names given - Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament (via a video specially recorded for the event), Romas Jarockis,
Vice-Minister of Culture of Lithuania, Doris Pack, Chair of the Committee on Culture and Education of the European Parliament, Jan Truszczyński, Director General for Education, Training, Culture
and Youth of the DG Education and Culture of the European Commission, Anton Rombouts, Chair of the Committee of the Regions' EDUC Commission, and Rémy Jacob, Dean of the European Investment
Bank Institute. The President of Europa Nostra made the introductory speech, while Henri Malosse, President of the European Economic and Social Committee, and Denis de Kergorlay, Executive
President of Europa Nostra. They made the concluding remarks.

Event was followed by the opening of photo exhibition
‘Europe: Our Past, our Future’ about the EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards at the European Commission headquarters. Exhibition was hosted by Androulla
Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth and honoured with presence of Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission.
This photographic exhibition displayed 33 inspiring examples in conservation, research, and dedicated service, education, training and awareness-raising.

MCU introduced Vice President of Europa Nostra
Mr.Costa Carras with CHARTS project, its activities and personally expressed appreciation to A.Vassillou for her support and contribution in organising conference on ‘Cultural Tourism in the Experience Economy” which took place in October 2013 in Pafos, Cyprus. Mrs.

Day was closed by Citizens Dialogue and
a special concert “European Inspirations” at the BOZAR, the Belgian Centre for Fine Arts, organised by the Representation of the European Commission in Belgium and the Chancellery of the Prime
Minister in partnership with BOZAR and Europa Nostra. 700 people participated in this Citizens’ Dialogue.

Plácido Domingo, President of Europa
Nostra, Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, Isabelle Durant, Vice-President of the European Parliament, Michelangelo
Pistoletto, the renowned Italian visual artist, and Paul Dujardin, Director of the Palais des Beaux-Arts, debated the future of Europe and the role of culture as a catalyst for European
integration.